Cablegate: Media Reaction On the Israeli Pullout From the Gaza

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SANAA 002453

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/PD, NEA/RA, DS/OP/NEA AND
S/CT
CENTCOM FOR POLAD

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR PHUM PTER KISL YM
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE ISRAELI PULLOUT FROM THE GAZA
STRIP

NEA/PPD FOR AFERNANDEZ

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, called
the "liberation of Gaza" by many, received widespread
coverage in all media. Most newspapers ran factual
accounts. Official papers, however, including government
daily Al Thawra (circulation 40,000), highlighted the
official view that withdrawal is a step forward in
establishing peace in the region, but assumed bad intentions
on the part of Israel with respect to both the West Bank and
Jerusalem. Officials of various political parties and party-
affiliated media outlets saw withdrawal as evidence of the
effectiveness of resistance and called for continued
resistance until the remainder of "the occupied territories
are liberated." Politicians and commentators generally
welcomed the withdrawal, but depicted it as a victory for
the "legitimate" force of resistance. Most of the credit
for the withdrawal has been attributed to Hamas's attacks,
"which drove the occupiers out of Gaza." End Summary

2. (U) Media outlets most frequently referred to "the
liberation of Gaza" when reporting on it commenced on August
15. Government media outlets, including Al Thawra (08/16),
Yemen State TV (08/15), and the Saba News Agency (the most
frequently used news source for all Yemeni media) (08/15),
reported President Ali Abdullah Saleh's telephone
conversation with Palestinian President Abbas, and his
congratulating Abbas and hoping that withdrawal would be "a
step forward in the course of a full Israeli withdrawal from
all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories."

3. (U) In an editorial published August 16, Al Thawra
opined that the Gaza withdrawal can be seen both as the
result of pressures exerted by Palestinian resistance and of
the economic burden of maintaining and protecting Israeli
settlements in Gaza more than it can be viewed as an
indicator of Israeli interest in peace. Headlines of news
and opinion in some government newspapers read:
"Purification of Gaza from the filth of occupation;" "A new
proof from Gaza: Israel withdraws only under (the pressure
of) resistance;" and, "If only withdrawal doesn't turn out
to be a trap!"

4. (U) Opposition newspapers and the website (www. Alsahwa-
yemen.net)of Al Sahwa (08/18), site of the main opposition
Islah party, and weekly Al Wahdawi (08/17), mouthpiece of
the opposition Nasserite party (circulation 12,000),
welcomed the withdrawal and portrayed it as a meager victory
for resistance after "four decades of occupation." All
media urged the Palestinians "to carry on the path of
resistance that deprives Israel of the sense of security
until all other territories are liberated." Opposition
media underscored the reactions of Palestinians in Yemen
including those of the office directors of the Hamas and
Fatah resistance, who argue in favor of resistance as an
effective way of securing freedom.

5. (SBU) COMMENT: The Yemeni man in the streets is heavily
influenced by the portrayal of the withdrawal offered by the
Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and the preachers in local
mosques. Generally, the prevailing impression is resistance
brought about the withdrawal; however, there is skepticism
about Israel's long-term intention and many voice their
suspicions that Israel might reoccupy Gaza, "devour" the
rest of the West Bank and Jerusalem, or execute a plan to
"purge the intifada." In sum, the view that withdrawal came
about as the result of resistance has strengthened the
belief that resistance must be supported and should
continue. End comment.

KRAJESKI

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